1955 Vette Purchase??
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 142
Likes: 1
From: Silver Spring md
1955 Vette Purchase??
Hello,
I have a neighbor selling a '55 that I have not looked at. I have a mid year and have never gone over any Vettes like this one. It is in the
55k-60k range. For that I hope it is a driver. I know these are rare and can go over 100k, but that should be fully restored. Do these cars have any common flaws to look for, ie. weak frame areas, etc.. I hope to see it one night this week and will post shots if allowed to take them. I know it is white..
Thanks in advance,
Pete
I have a neighbor selling a '55 that I have not looked at. I have a mid year and have never gone over any Vettes like this one. It is in the
55k-60k range. For that I hope it is a driver. I know these are rare and can go over 100k, but that should be fully restored. Do these cars have any common flaws to look for, ie. weak frame areas, etc.. I hope to see it one night this week and will post shots if allowed to take them. I know it is white..
Thanks in advance,
Pete
Safety Car
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,921
Likes: 46
From: So Cal
Check for rust on the radiator support and the rear frame just rear for the gas tank. Probablly would do alot of good to do a little reading on the 55 specific parts. There were numerous 55 only parts that if inop are extremely expensive to replace or restore and frequently difficult to find at any price. Check for all gauge functions - wiring harness is not too tough nor expensive to replace. Headlight,taillights, bumper pieces are pricey but available. Side mouldings are fragile and tough to obtain (in excellent cond). Drive train is virtually bullet proof- extremely strudy parts. Watch for ignition shielding, original radiator (check dating) and generator drive tach. Overall 55 is a great car. I hope it works out!
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,606
Likes: 210
From: Nevada City Ca.
2015 C1 of Year
Of all Corvettes 55's are the fewest and rarest model left , there are more 53 left then 55, Big money and near in possible to find is the shielding/ air cleaner/plug supports/ coil/ Dist vacuum advance / rear end assy if missing original/ correct PG /many other parts can be found, same as 54 outside parts ,then inside it's 12V not 6V. But then you would have the rarest model Corvette year .
Ask yourself when was the last time you ever saw two 55's at the same time or even one driving around.
Good luck buying it.
Ask yourself when was the last time you ever saw two 55's at the same time or even one driving around.
Good luck buying it.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 541
Likes: 2
From: Sparks Nevada
I second both replies. Check gauges for operation, ignition shielding is a bugger. Hood pulls and dash ***** are also hard to find and expensive, convertible top frame and side windows would also be a nice thing to have. I'm putting together a '55 driver, contact me as well if you have any questions.
Mike
Sparks, NV
Mike
Sparks, NV
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 142
Likes: 1
From: Silver Spring md
1955 Vette`
Thanks to all! I will hopefully see it one night this week. Just a peek from outside the garagetells me it is better than a project and looks complete with nice chrome, paint. We will see! What is the best resource for finding which 55 parts are "one of"....
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,606
Likes: 210
From: Nevada City Ca.
2015 C1 of Year
Your first problem is finding some one that has or knows anything about a 55, you'll find it's hard to get anyone to respond to you because of that ,NCRS judging Manuel does little to help, your kind of on your own unless you correspond with some one that knows 55's. If you do buy it or need help E-mail people that have one with pic's. Again goooooooooood luck !
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,159
Likes: 64
From: Nichols Florida
Take pictures. I am just starting to do the same with one I bought in May.
http://www.deliquescence.net/~tyler/...e/tyler_55.htm
My first problem was the gas tank, it still had some ?? left when the motor was rebuilt in 69. Getting it cleaned/recoated as I write. Next problem was windshield, broke glass trying to take it apart. The gaskets were hard as a stone and cracked it when taking off the trim. The motor and trans are wrong so am sorting that out. Its a period correct 55 pass car driveline package numbers matching so might be able to sell it at some point.
At least with mine there are no suprises in the body frame and both are very solid.
Good Luck.
Tyler
http://www.deliquescence.net/~tyler/...e/tyler_55.htm
My first problem was the gas tank, it still had some ?? left when the motor was rebuilt in 69. Getting it cleaned/recoated as I write. Next problem was windshield, broke glass trying to take it apart. The gaskets were hard as a stone and cracked it when taking off the trim. The motor and trans are wrong so am sorting that out. Its a period correct 55 pass car driveline package numbers matching so might be able to sell it at some point.
At least with mine there are no suprises in the body frame and both are very solid.
Good Luck.
Tyler
Pro
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 541
Likes: 2
From: Sparks Nevada
Roy, I'm with you on that. I'm pretty close to putting my '55 back together. I just recently picked up a '72 Toyota Land Cruiser to fix up for my son, there are so many more sources for that vehicle, I find myself more interested in working on his than mine. Recent visits to the NCRS tech forum are pretty boring for me at this point.
I'll always enjoy the '55, but you are right, not many know the car or appreciate it.
I'll always enjoy the '55, but you are right, not many know the car or appreciate it.
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Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,425
Likes: 0
From: Seattle Wash.
Hello,
I have a neighbor selling a '55 that I have not looked at. I have a mid year and have never gone over any Vettes like this one. It is in the
55k-60k range. For that I hope it is a driver. I know these are rare and can go over 100k, but that should be fully restored. Do these cars have any common flaws to look for, ie. weak frame areas, etc.. I hope to see it one night this week and will post shots if allowed to take them. I know it is white..
Thanks in advance,
Pete
I have a neighbor selling a '55 that I have not looked at. I have a mid year and have never gone over any Vettes like this one. It is in the
55k-60k range. For that I hope it is a driver. I know these are rare and can go over 100k, but that should be fully restored. Do these cars have any common flaws to look for, ie. weak frame areas, etc.. I hope to see it one night this week and will post shots if allowed to take them. I know it is white..
Thanks in advance,
Pete